Hogan Lovells Announces Settlement Proposal for SBCC Class Action

Hogan Lovells has announced a proposed $7 million settlement in a federal class action lawsuit concerning systemic abuse at a Massachusetts correctional facility, specifically the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC). Filed in 2022, the lawsuit represents approximately 150 current and former inmates who endured physical and psychological abuse under correctional officers during a period of intense violence in early 2020. The lawsuit alleges that officers at the Department of Correction employed excessive force, including the use of beatings, chemical agents, and aggressive tactics, particularly targeting Black and Latino inmates. The U.S. District Court for Massachusetts certified the class in September 2024, highlighting the ongoing legal struggle. Hogan Lovells' settlement proposal not only includes a significant financial component but also mandates crucial policy reforms within SBCC to address its history of excessive force and discrimination. The legal team from Hogan Lovells, led by partner Tony Fuller and comprised of both Boston and Washington, D.C. lawyers, has managed this pro bono case, stressing the importance of addressing systemic misconduct in correctional institutions through accountability and reform.